Gov. Kelly Armstrong has appointed Tony Hillig to lead the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department, the governor’s office announced Thursday. Hillig, a five-year veteran of the agency, will assume the directorship effective immediately.
Background and experience
Hillig joined Parks and Recreation in 2019 and has served as the department’s recreation division chief since December 2020. Before his state service, Hillig spent more than a quarter-century in the U.S. Army. He is a Bismarck native and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Troy University in Alabama.
Within the department, Hillig previously worked as the motorized recreation coordinator, giving him experience with off-highway vehicle programs and other motorized uses on public lands. His elevation to director follows the movement of the prior director, Cody Schulz, into a financial leadership role at the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
"With more than 32 years in the military and state government, Tony has proven to be a strong and capable leader and problem-solver," Armstrong said in a news release.
Scope of the role
As director, Hillig will oversee a department that manages 14 state parks and recreation areas, including the recently opened Pembina Gorge State Park, which debuted in June as the first new state park in North Dakota since 1989. The agency operates on a two-year budget of $62 million and staffs up to 76 full-time employees along with as many as 400 seasonal workers.
Department responsibilities range from trail and campground maintenance to recreational programming, resource protection and permitting for motorized recreation. Those duties place the agency at the center of balancing outdoor access with conservation and safety concerns across a variety of landscapes that attract residents and visitors.
What changes — and what stays the same
Officials did not release an immediate policy agenda tied to Hillig’s appointment, but his background suggests continuity on issues such as motorized recreation management and outdoor access initiatives. Local park stakeholders and recreation businesses are likely to watch early moves for signals about funding priorities and program direction, especially as visitation trends evolve and infrastructure needs grow.
- Leadership continuity: Hillig’s internal promotion keeps institutional knowledge within the agency.
- Operational focus: Ongoing maintenance, staffing and seasonal operations will remain central day-to-day concerns.
- New park oversight: Pembina Gorge, the first state park added in decades, will be a focal point for management and development decisions.
Quick facts
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| State parks and recreation areas | 14 |
| Two-year budget | $62 million |
| Full-time employees (max) | 76 |
| Seasonal workers (max) | 400 |
| New director | Tony Hillig |
Local context and outlook
North Dakotans rely on the state parks system for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and motorized recreation. The department’s budget and staffing levels, while modest by some state standards, are tasked with maintaining aging infrastructure, upgrading facilities and responding to public-safety and environmental issues. The opening of Pembina Gorge State Park in June marked a notable development for outdoor recreation in the state and adds to the portfolio Hillig now manages.
Observers say leadership transitions present both opportunities and short-term uncertainty. Advocates for expanded recreation opportunities will look for commitments to trail development and campground improvements. Conservation groups will press for continued emphasis on habitat protection and sustainable use.
With Hillig’s military and agency experience, department watchers expect a focus on organizational management and operational efficiency in the months ahead. Public inquiries about park conditions, permits or employment remain directed to the Parks and Recreation Department’s usual channels.
Armstrong’s office did not provide a timetable for any additional staffing announcements within the department. Hillig succeeds Schulz, who had led the agency since 2021 before moving to his new role at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
State residents and visitors can find park information, seasonal updates and contact details on the Parks and Recreation Department’s website and should monitor official releases for any policy changes under the new director.
